(This is taken from an informational pamplet/flier for a demonstration today in New York City at City Hall Park, regarding the banning without permit of most filming and photography.)

If you are a Nyc resident, by now you are very likely aware of, and almost as likely felt the brunt of:

-Security checks, at times obtrusive to the points of "see-through screening", at practically every public building, and stadium, as well as at the Nyc Airports.

-Baggage checks on Subways.

-Security members following you around in stores and in public building.

-Heavy police presence often even in public parks and at free concerts,
sometimes acting soley as a intimidation/fear tactic.

-"Cages", at many public events, to stand in. Ranging from protests to concerts, to New Years Eve at Time Square, its abundant. "Free Speech Zones" shrinking America into little corners, and leaving the surrounding area with about as much freedom of speech, expression, and use of public land as the Soviet Union had.

-Closed Circuit t/v camera's watching your every move in buildings, and steadily increasing in neighbhorhoods and in the heart of the city.

New York City, more and more everyday, is starting to sound like the "Big Brother" society in the book 1984, a depictive warning of the dangers of technology mixed with rampid unchecked government. Government that is not of the people, but over the people. Government that can watch and judge
as it sees fit, everything you do, but refuses you the right to view and judge it by weaseling outwith an ever expanding excuse of "national security". This is a policy that was adopted by Adolph Hitler about a decade prior to our own initial adoption of it in 1947(National Security Act). In a "post-9/11 world",
it is now the phrase that pays, after "Terror" and "September 11th".

Now there are these unpleasing changes that you are certainly aware of, there are also things happening that you may not yet be aware of. There are the further steps that have recently been taken, which are moving to further demolish any semblance of the freedom we were promised by our own births
and by the U.S. Constitution; in design set to stop us from securing a quality and happier future for ourselves and the next generations to come.

-In what may be percieved as drills, mass police force has flooded even parties on beaches, such as was reported by Bay News on July 5, 2007, where cops flooded Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn before students celebrating graduation had even gathered there(page 1). Furthermore, in the same area:
After residents very mistakenly asked for electronic survielence of citizens coming in from outside the neighborhood, the police department turned the surveilence on the local residents as well(Page 3).

-A press release from May 11th of this year announced that National Guard would be placed in 13PATH stations between Ny and Nj. Additionally, National Guard would soon be added to Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, and JFK. Besides the unconstitutional act of a treaty between
two states, the move set up a partial military state in New York City. Furthermore, 1010WINS reported this weekend that Marines were being used on the streets of Nyc to collect unpaid
parking tickets.

-Furthermore, the city banned gatherings of 50 or more individuals without permit, focusing on the critical mass bicycle rides and motorcycle rides.

And of course, directly why there has been a demonstration called for Thursday, August 2nd, at 4:30 pm..City Hall Park..:

-Mayor Bloomberg and the City of New York are beginning the enforcement of a law they hardlylet anyone even know about, and which is another clear and damning violation of constitutional rights. This ban is the ban of public filming and photography without a permit and1 million dollars in liability insurance. The rules include stating that a group of 2 or more individuals using photo/video for more then 30 minutes can be punished by law, as can a group of 5 using either with a tripod for 10 minutes or longer.

It should be noted that the very same week this plan was first quietly announced by the Mayors Office of Film Theatre and Broadcasting, the Mayor also announced a plan to add 3000 cctv camera's towatch us. Apparently they can watch us, but we can't watch them. Or even just film life.

The implications of (all)this is pretty much on the surface. You are urged to do something.

And please take the time to sign the related petition at pictureny.org,
Thankyou.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Some people say there is nothing they can do. This is not historically accurate.Take the strides made during the Civil Rights Movement, or the days of Ghandi.Multiple states have refused to take part in the National ID card, due to citizens standing up. So yes, believe there is something you can do.

What else can you do, now that you've read this? A list to start:

-Please speak with others about these urgent matters.
-Realize we are all on the same side, and cannot stand divided against opression.
-Reproduce this flier and others like it when possible.
-Express your grievances to the servants of our city/state/nation, the government.
-Continue to educate yourself on these and other significant matters.

And of course, Fill up, Film and Photograph The Streets!